Expect greatness from Andre Johnson on Saturday

Sometimes media can overstate the obvious. That is how the sports cliché was born.

But occasionally, something that seems obvious is understated because the context can be lost in the “duh” category.

That might be the case with Andre Johnson’s return to the Texans’ lineup.

Will a Bengals cornerback be Andre Johnson's next knockout vitim?

You may recall that I was adamant that Johnson should have played a few plays against Indianapolis, so he could play more against the Titans, and then go all out in the playoffs.

There were two reasons for my position on that:

1. Johnson had told me many times he needed two games to get up to speed.

2. When Johnson is up to speed, nobody in the NFL can check him. Nobody.

Johnson laments not getting that second game he wanted, but man, let me tell you, he will be jacked up on Saturday. I’ve gotten wide-eyed reports from defensive backs on what he has done to them in practice. Unstoppable.

What you might not fully understand is the difference Johnson makes in the Texans’ offense.

T.J. Yates ought to be among the happiest men on the planet. Johnson’s return is a game-changer.

“As much of a presence that he is, a great football player, we’ll still do things within the structure of our offense, but knowing what he can do out at wide out and how he can press, he can create some problems for people one on one certainly,” Gary Kubiak said.

Even that is understating it. Yates knows he can throw the ball to Johnson, regardless of the coverage, and he will always have a chance at a completion. He can’t feel that way about Kevin Walters or Jacoby Jones.

“He’s a big, strong, physical guy and you know when you throw it up to him, either he’s going to come down with it or nobody is and he gives you a lot of confidence as a quarterback, because no matter where you put it he’s going to go get it,” Yates said.

With Johnson on the field, other receivers find it easier to get open, because defenders are know to paying more attention to Johnson than anyone else on the field. If they don’t pay attention, they get burned and when they do they often get burned as well.

You hear so much of late about Yates’ unwillingness to throw downfield. That is one of those overblown things I mentioned before. Actually, the opposite is true, but just hasn’t been on display in a couple of games.

Yates is more of a gunslinger than we have seen, or certainly saw in the games against the Panthers and Colts, two teams that played a high percentage of zone coverages, forcing most things to be underneath.

But if you saw what Yates did against the Bengals (300 passing yards with no Johnson), Atlanta (he threw for only 188 yards, but hit Johnson four times for 97 yards and Andre had a drop that cost him 35 more yards), you know what he can do to teams that want to man-up on the outside.

And Yates has looked great in practice this week. Apparently, yesterday, the ball didn’t hit the ground during the Texans’ workout.

Will Cincinnati go more zone than man to try to take away Johnson? Or will they do what they like to do and risk Johnson going nuts?

I don’t think it matters much. Generally, you can’t stop greatness. He will get his.

Johnson said he won’t demand the ball, but as he said, “T.J. knows where I’m at.”

“I’ll definitely know where 80 is the entire game,” Yatres said. “Andre is not that type of guy. He won’t even say much no matter what, but he’s definitely someone I’ll be looking for in that game to throw to.”

Jerry Rice had only four catches for 45 yards in his playoff debut, while Randy Moss had four for 73 yards and a touchdown in his. Do note, however, that those two were in the playoffs as rookies.

By his fourth season (1988), Rice was the best player on the planet, and he had an impressive run with 5-61 with three TDs, 5-133 with two TDs and 11-215 and a TD in the Super Bowl.

Moss had a touchdown catch in each of his first five playoff games, including ridiculous games like a nine-catch, 188-yard, two-TD performance against the Rams and a game-breaking two catches for 121 yards and two scores against the Saints.

I don’t know what Johnson will do on Saturday, but the man has waited a long time for this opportunity.

I am COWBOY! I am freaking lunatic! Normal people say that it’s rather ridiculous to sit at my computer, wait for the next Solomon blog entry and then mock a team that’s in the playoffs when my own beloved ‘Boys are back in the metroplex working on their respective golf games, but not me!!!! I think it’s perfectly normal! Did I mention how f-ing over-the-top crazy I am? I sure am! Now, where did I put down that pop tart? Oh yeah, does anyone else hear that saxophone playing the Benny Hill them music whenever they step out of the house? I hear it constantly and I’m loving it! Medicine be damned! LOVE ME SOME COWBOY!!!!!!!!!!

“I am a Looper…I am a freakin’ idiot. Only someone delusional would continually post on the blogs how Dallas is irrelevant when Dallas owns Houston. Dallas has the same number of players starting in the Pro Bowl but because I’m a moron I post on every blog the same worn out sophomoric mantra that Dallas sucks. Every time I start my hoopty someone starts playing ‘Duelling Banjos’. Excuse me while I go pick up my two best friends, Walter Mitty and Mediocrates”.

I have a sneaky feeling that Andre Johnson will come up huge this Saturday. I fully understand why his impact is being questioned as he has suffered through two hamstring injuries, so my declaration is merely a hunch. But even at 75% Johnson should bring plenty to take some pressure off of T.J. Yates and the entire offense…and defense! With Johnson you generally get better field position. And gimpy or not, on 3rd and long I like the Texans’ chances at getting the ball to him.

So the Dallas Cowboys have TWO in the TOP 10 NFL selling jerseys?……Really?…..The team that is sitting at home STILL is more popular than the playoff “Cake Eaters” in Houston?…..So fans would rather wear MILES AUSTIN’S jersey than the great AnDROP Johnson’s?…..Serioulsy?…..And to run salt in the Looper’s sore butt, this little gem. Harris Poll shows the DALLAS COWBOYS “have been the most popular team in America since 2006……OMG…SIX YEARS the most popular NFL team in America?…..Meanwhile inside Loop 610 you can still hear, “We’re in the playoffs…YIPPPEEEE…Dallas sucks…..we’re in the playoffs….Dallas is sitting in home”….How pathetic. You have to feel sorry for them…LMAO……

They way ol Jerrah’s been running the team the last 15 years, I think he would rather sell more jerseys than put a successful team on the field. His bank account grows as the team continues to lose. Cowgirl fans have never been the brightest so it doesnt surprise me one bit that they continue to funnel him money. I’d rather worry about who my team is playing in the playoffs than how many jerseys they sell or how we are doing in a popularity contest. By the way, seriously is spelled s-e-r-i-o-u-s-l-y. I know y’all aren’t the most intelligent bunch but it’s a pretty simple word to spell.

I bet they lead the league in selling jerseys in January, also. There’s nothing else to do because there’s no games for them to go to. So they might as well spend their money on a jersey instead of getting their kid’s teeth fixed. Albertson’s wanted to give me 10% off of all my purchases if I wore a Cowboy’s jersey on game day. I told them I wouldn’t need groceries because if I had to wear a Cowboys jersey I would be throwing up all day.

Speaking of Cowboys jerseys, an ESPN “Outside the Lines” story this weekend on how the Cowboys have most of their merchandise made in sweatshops in Cambodia might be an interesting look at what that organization is all about these days.

I’m COWBOY and I say it’s better to be popular than successful. Truth be told, I’m neither one of things in my life, but when it comes to football, it’s all about jerseys sold. I’m sure other metroplexers agree, right? right? That’s why even I’ll even admit that I’m many times loopier than the “loopers” themsleves. By the way, I admit that I don’t even know what the term “looper” means. I think it’s something to do with highway 610 which I’ve been known to get on on my way to “work” in the morning and somehow still be on at 8 pm or so when my 1987 Vespa runs out of gas… that is by no coincidence approximately when the medicine wears off. LOVE ME SOME COWBOY!!!!

Andre is going to do what he always does…..take 2 defenders down the field..maybe 3 on some plays and still get open…..he is that good.
This is going to open up the rest of the field for other recievers and tight ends who will be single covered.
The rest of the NFL is going to see why this guy is so great ….if they havent already and why he is one of the top wr in the nfl these days…

Local home town boy, TEXANS fan for all of the years and Oilers too, I use to have season tickets to the Oilers until the last day. Now I work off-shore for many years and I AM SO EXCITED for Saturday, my son and I have our Brian Cushing jerseys sent to us from my Aunt! THANK YOU, Go Reliant Stadium make it crazy will be watching. Game will be here at 7:30 my time but super excited! Oh, by the way I love TJ Yates, and he will have a HUGE day! Mark it.

And again Texan fans PLEASE ignore Cowboy, let him post and don’t respond to anything, watch he will go away, this is to you Texan fans don’t respond

Hey “KING” HA HA What a joke. Look I realize its your job to talk about the Texans and how they are going to beat up on the Bengals but like Chris Carter says “Come On Man” you guys are garbage. WHO DEY!!!!!!!

[...] and when he is on his game Andre Johnson is the best WR in football. And all indications are that he is 100% and ready to go. That is a huge addition for the Texans. They are going up against the Bengals and these teams [...]